Category: Internal News

RHA Residential Team Lead in NC builds team through referrals!

Paris Capozziello is a Residential Team Leader with RHA’s disability services in Hendersonville, NC, who has recruited more than ten new employees to his team.

“I think I’ve had somewhere around 14 or 15 people [I’ve referred] come in for an interview,” Paris said. “I was in healthcare management prior to joining the RHA team and I had a very faithful staff. Some of them came with me just because they liked being under my management, but there are a lot of good things about RHA that brought people over as well.”

RHA offers several different referral incentive programs, which vary by location, but Paris shared that while the financial benefit of recruiting folks has certainly been an incentive, he is also just proud to bring people on board with RHA.

“I spent a lot of time explaining to each candidate that RHA is a good company to work for. [RHA] definitely shows employee appreciation, they care for their staff, and the management has proven that if there’s an issue they will actively listen and try to fix it.”

Thank you, Paris, for all that you do for the people we support, and for encouraging others to join the team at RHA!

DSP Week Spotlight: Gabby G. in TN

Gabby has been a DSP with RHA for two and a half years. She has been in the professional care field for eight years.

What do you love most about being a DSP?

“I love the relationships I’ve formed with different individuals — each one is unique. I love everything about them… I love what I do. I love going into work because even if one of the people I support is having a bad day — everyone has bad days, so we’re just going to work through it. It’s so rewarding.”

What do you think the most important part of your job is?

“Helping [the people I support] to realize that they can do anything that they want to. Some of them may have to try harder at it, but the encouragement I can give them to help them reach their goals and see them light up when they meet them is something special.”

What would you say to someone who is considering becoming a DSP at RHA?

“It takes a lot of hard work, dedication, and patience to do this job. If you can get through all of that, though, it’s one of the best, most rewarding things you can experience.”

 

Gabby was nominated by Melissa Bartlett, IDD Administrator in TN, who said:

“She always goes above and beyond for [the people we support]. Gabby has also spent several weekends coming to the assistance of staff in other locations. Even though she was not as familiar with the unit/home/persons supported in those locations, they all had nothing but wonderful things to say about her when she arrived and worked there.”

DSP Week Spotlight: Hassan M. in PA

Hassan is a Recovery Support Professional with Salisbury Behavioral Health, a Division of RHA Health Services in Pennsylvania. This is his first direct support role, and October will mark his first work anniversary with the company.

What do you love most about being a DSP?

“I find it very rewarding, and it’s definitely not boring.”

What do you think the most important part of your job is?

“I think the most important part of my job is focus. I have to be aware of what I’m doing. It’s important to be cautious.”

What would you say to someone who is considering becoming a DSP at RHA?

“It is a very rewarding position. It’s a very fun job, or at least I find it to be one. I work with a really great team and everybody I work with is genuinely a team player.”

Hassan was nominated by Ashley Blum, Personal Care Home Administrator in PA, who said:

“Without Hassan’s help since October, I don’t know where we’d be. Hassan constantly steps up and helps when no one else wants to and does it with a smile. He still comments how happy he is to be here and volunteered to work overnight full time for the 12 weeks our primary overnight staff is out on leave. He is amazing and I am grateful every day for him!”

 

 

DSP Week Spotlight: Carrie S. in NC

Carrie S. has been a DSP with RHA for many years.

What do you love most about being a DSP?

“The unique challenges and opportunities as well as the positive impact I make helping each individual achieve their goals of working towards independence makes every day fulfilling and rewarding…this is what I love most about being a DSP.”

What do you think the most important part of your job is?

“The most important part of my job is helping each individual conquer the daily obstacles and challenges they face to live a deep, meaningful, and fulfilling life.”

What would you say to someone who is considering becoming a DSP at RHA?

“This job isn’t for the halfhearted. This is so much more than a job. You will have the opportunity to make a real difference and contribution in the lives of others. This job is so rewarding and filled with so much love and a true purpose of giving back in this world. It’s far from predictable — I enjoy never knowing what each day will hold. If you’re patient, adaptable, understanding, loving, dedicated, and passionate, then come join our team and discover a much more meaningful purpose in life, filled with endless rewarding days.”

Carrie was nominated by Michelle Robertson, IDD Operations Vice President in NC, who said:

“While Carrie goes above and beyond to help out from a coverage perspective, she is also such a strong advocate. Not just about things the people she supports need, but in making sure that they get to have opportunities. She thinks outside of the box and ensures that we have supplies necessary for them to try new things, go places, do things. She is the epitome of what we look for in a staff member and has all the qualities that you don’t necessarily read in the job description, but that make her the perfect person for the role.”

DSP Week Spotlight: Becca S. in NC

Becca has been a DSP with RHA for over a year. This is her first professional DSP role.

What do you love most about being a DSP?

“Helping take care of the guys every day. If I can bring a smile to their face, then I’m doing something right.”

What do you think the most important part of your job is?

“Being able to be there for the guys.”

What would you say to someone who is considering becoming a DSP at RHA?

“They need to put not themselves first, but others first. They need to be able to put their feelings aside. A lot of these folks have intellectual disabilities, and we need to be their ears, eyes, and voice. For most of them, we are the only voice they might have. We need to be able to be that for them.”

Becca was nominated by Cindy Myers, IDD Operations Vice President in NC, who said:

“Becca takes each day and makes the best of it. She is an amazing advocate for the health and safety of the people we support, always looking for ways to make their lives better. Becca radiates positivity and passion throughout her workday. Becca truly wants to learn and rise to new challenges so she can be the best support she can be for the people supported at Wildcat.”

DSP Week Spotlight: Theresa R. in PA

Theresa has been a direct support professional with Growth Horizons, a Division of RHA Health Services in PA, for 18 years.

What do you love most about being a DSP?

“I’ve done it my whole life. I like the hands-on aspects of the job. I like watching the individuals be able to accomplish their goals and complete them, and to experience the joy with them when they do. It’s just something I’ve always enjoyed. There’s just a joy in working with people that you get to watch grow, and accomplish things, and do things—they become family to me. It’s not just a job.”

What do you think the most important part of your job is?

“Protecting my individuals, providing them with what they need, taking care of all their daily needs, and making a safe environment for them.”

What would you say to someone who is considering becoming a DSP at RHA?

“Come in with an open mind and know that there’s just not a simple job description. Whatever’s handed to you, you have to do it. It’s not ‘you work so many hours, then you go home,’ you know? Be open to change. You know, I’ve been with my individuals for a long time, and they’ve changed—they’ve aged. You have to go along with the aging process.”

Theresa was nominated by Beth Davidson and Nicholas Whitfield. Nicholas said:

“[Theresa] has been with us for 18 years. During the pandemic, she has made the health and safety of the people she serves her highest priority. She wouldn’t think of calling out, and never has. Her three individuals that she serves have some extensive medical needs, she takes their care very seriously. Amidst all this you would think she would voice a complaint or two, but she has only said how lucky she was to be able to serve these individuals during this time.”

DSP Week Spotlight: Janet L. in NC

Janet has been with RHA since 1994! This is the only DSP role she’s ever held.

What do you love most about being a DSP?

“I love assisting others with doing things that they wouldn’t be able to do by themselves. I love establishing a rapport with them, so when they hear me, they smile.”

What do you think the most important part of your job is?

“Making sure that we provide all-inclusive support for people. I have a lot of important things though—more than one. Other important things include making sure they eat properly, and their medications are administered properly.”

What would you say to someone who is considering becoming a DSP at RHA?

“It’s a good job, and you learn a lot. You have to be patient. You have to be a leader, not a follower. You have to take initiative, and you have to be sociable. I enjoy my job. Never take anything to work with you — if you’re having a bad day, the people we serve will feed off that. So always go to work with a positive attitude, even if you’re having a bad day.”

Janet was nominated by Jan Herring, IDD Operations Vice President in NC, and Samantha Scott, IDD Administrator in NC, who said:

“Janet is passionate about the people she assists every day, and her passion is demonstrated with every task completed and every outcome achieved. Janet readily shares her vast store of knowledge and experience with coworkers as well as new hires for other homes. Janet is one of the employees that stepped up during this trying year and displayed her commitment to the people we support and the company.”

DSP Week Spotlight: Amanda A. in GA

Amanda A. has been a Direct Support Professional with RHA in Georgia since July 2020. This is her first DSP role.

What do you love most about being a DSP?

“It’s the people I support. Trying to put it into any other words…. I really don’t even know how. It’s one of their laughs, it’s the way the other one has to have a hug any time she sees me. It’s them and the joy that they bring to me.”

What do you think the most important part of your job is?

“For me, it’s treating the individuals as if they were my family—the way I would want my family to be treated if they lived in a home like this.”

What would you say to someone who is considering becoming a DSP at RHA?

“It takes a special kind of heart [to be a DSP.] It’s not for someone who just thinks that it’s an easy paycheck. It’s a job for someone that really cares.”

Amanda was nominated by Debbie Stehling, IDD Operations Vice President in Georgia, who said:

“Amanda consistently goes out of her way to make those we serve and support at RHA feel empowered and are cared for every second of every day. Amanda is compassionate and sincere in all interactions with those she supports, she puts them first with a willing and cheerful smile. Through the day-to-day interactions Amanda has with people supported, it is evident how much she cares for the individuals we serve at RHA. We are so thankful for Amanda and her love for supporting those we serve.”